This is one of my favorite songs from "The Wizard of Oz". You know it. The Scarecrow sings of the great things he would do if "he only had a brain". You can't help but singing it to yourself. It's a happy, perky, positive kind of tune, full of hope and promise. No matter how you are feeling at the time, it just brings a smile to your face when you sing or hum it.
I know the Scarecrow is only thinking about having a brain, but you know, those words go far deeper than that. Just imagine if you changed "a brain" to "if I only had the time". That kind of puts a whole new perspective on things. Don't you think!
So, just for the sake of pretending, let's go with it. "I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers, consulting with the rain. And my head I'd be scratchin' and my thoughts were busy hatchin', if I only had the time.". Yes, I know. It doesn't rhyme, but there's a lot of truth in that alternate ending. Just imagine the wonderful things we could see and do and enjoy, if we only had the time!
I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le, In trouble or in pain. With the thoughts you'll be thinkin' you could be another Lincoln......... But, this brings us to the next level of the song.
Here comes the fun part. Remember, in the movie, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion also dream about the possibilities, one with a heart and the other with courage. All three songs are sung to the same tune and essentially, these three characters are asking for fulfillment of that one very special thing that is missing from each of their lives - a brain, a heart and courage. See, it's not just the time to make these things happen. There's so much more at stake here. Think about the most villainous of people that you know exist in the world and put them in the place of the Tin Man? Do you think they would be changed if they had a feeling heart and not just a beating heart? How would it change our world, how would it change their life? Would they reach out and touch someone with that touch of someone that really cares or would it be the Midas touch and they would continue grabbing and monopolizing everything around them? Interesting concept, isn't it?
Then, of course, we can't leave out the Cowardly Lion. He lacks courage to stand up for what is right in his own life and the world around him. Where do you fit into that picture? Do you have the courage to stand up for what is right?
In essence, we have three totally fictitious and totally lovable characters that all want that one thing that will complete them and make them a better "person" (scarecrow, tin man or lion). Have you ever thought about the words to those three songs as somewhat of a prayer?
A man made of straw, of tin and a scruffley lion are all asking for that one special gift so they can make the world a better place.
Then, of course, we can't leave out the Cowardly Lion. He lacks courage to stand up for what is right in his own life and the world around him. Where do you fit into that picture? Do you have the courage to stand up for what is right?
In essence, we have three totally fictitious and totally lovable characters that all want that one thing that will complete them and make them a better "person" (scarecrow, tin man or lion). Have you ever thought about the words to those three songs as somewhat of a prayer?
A man made of straw, of tin and a scruffley lion are all asking for that one special gift so they can make the world a better place.
I know where all of those gifts come from. Do you? I think it's time to talk to the Guy upstairs and let Him help each of us figure out what wonderful thing we could do to make the world a better place if we only had............
Keep dreamin' and turn your dreams into prayers for hope and tomorrows and that ultimate wonderful place that is somewhere over the rainbow.
IN HIM!
I am faithfully His,
me!
Keep dreamin' and turn your dreams into prayers for hope and tomorrows and that ultimate wonderful place that is somewhere over the rainbow.
IN HIM!
I am faithfully His,
me!
Thought you might enjoy having the words to this delightful song!
If I Only Had A....
by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
Enjoy!
Brain
I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain.
And my head I'd be scratchin' while
my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le,
In trouble or in pain.
With the thoughts you'll be thinkin'
you could be another Lincoln
If you only had a brain.
Oh, I could tell you why The ocean's near the shore.
I could think of things I never thunk before.
And then I'd sit, and think some more.
I would not be just a nothin' my head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.
______________________________
Heart
When a man's an empty kettle he should be on his mettle,
And yet I'm torn apart.
Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind-a-human,
If I only had heart.
I'd be tender - I'd be gentle and awful sentimental
Regarding Love and Art.
I'd be friends with the sparrows ...
and the boys who shoots the arrows
If I only had a heart.
Picture me - a balcony. Above a voice sings low.
Wherefore art thou, Romeo? I hear a beat....
How sweet.
Just to register emotion, jealousy - devotion,
And really feel the part.
I could stay young and chipper
and I'd lock it with a zipper,
If I only had a heart.
_____________________________
The Nerve
Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy,
When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve.
But I could show my prowess, be a lion not a mou-ess
If I only had the nerve.
I'm afraid there's no denyin' I'm just a dandelion,
A fate I don't deserve.
I'd be brave as a blizzard....
I'd be gentle as a lizard....
I'd be clever as a gizzard....
If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve.
Then I'm sure to get a brain, a heart, a home, the nerve!
